Lewis and Harris

Lewis and Harris

Lewis and Harris, island (1985 est. pop. 23,500), 825 sq mi (2,137 sq km), largest and northernmost of the Outer Hebrides, Western Isles council area, NW Scotland, 24 mi (35 km) from the mainland across the Minch. The island is also called Lewis or the Lews. Harris has hilly terrain. Central Lewis is a vast, wet moor, uninhabited and unproductive. All the towns lie on the coast, and the bulk of the island's population is in Stornoway, which has a significant port, and the northern parish of Ness. Crofting, fishing, and stock raising are the main occupations. The thriving Harris tweed industry is centered in Stornoway but utilizes home looms throughout the island. Gaelic is spoken. A prehistoric monument with large stones stands at Callanish in Lewis.